Ever since you were a kid, you wanted to follow in the footsteps of your family. Your parents had met at the same university that your father's father, and his father had attended, all being part of the same fraternity, Kappa Alpha Delta. You were now attending the same university, even carrying on the legacy of the name, that you shared with your great grandfather, grandfather and father, Sidney Hadley IV. Though you usually went by Sid, because it was easier. Your first and to you, only mission on campus was to pledge KAΔ, everything else be damned. So that's why you were so crushed when you were given the letter that you had been cut. You immediately went to go confront the fraternity president.
"Sorry, man. We had a lot of people make it through this year, and we had to make cuts." the President said. "Try again next time, kay?"
"But I'm a legacy!" you pleaded.
"That's sort of the problem. Greek life's been getting a bad rap lately, so we sorta want to distance ourselves from the past of the frat. So..." he shrugged.
You stormed out of the frat house. You were beyond mad. This was your one goal for college and it was dashed because other frats were doing stupid hazing stuff? It's not fair!
The next morning you woke up and found that a pink envelope had been passed underneath your door the night before.
"What's that?" your roommate, Evan asked.
"Not sure." you said.
The envelope only had your name on the front in cursive. You opened it up and read it.
"Sid,
I heard what happened at KAΔ. We still think legacies are important. Please see Melanie Simmons at Tau Beta Gamma."
"So...?" Evan asked. "Don't keep me in suspense!"
"I'm not sure. It says that Melanie Simmons wants to see me." you said.
"Melanie Simmons? The president of the Tau Beta Gamma sorority? Wonder what she wants..." Evan said.
"Me too." you said.
You approached the sorority house hesitantly and knocked on the door. When it opened, you were confronted by a bubbly-looking blonde girl.
"...Yes?" she asked.
You held out the envelope.
"Oh! Right this way." she motioned her manicured hand into the house.
You followed her down a hallway, before coming to an office, which she led you into.
"You can take a seat right there." she said.
"Thanks." you said.
After a few moments, another girl, with medium length brown hair walked into the room.
"Hi, Sidney. I'm Melanie." she held out her hand, which you shook. "I'll cut to the chase, since you're probably confused."
"You could say that." you laughed.
"Right, so you're a legacy. Not only on your father's side, though. This sorority hasn't been around nearly as long as the others on campus. This chapter was only founded in the last twenty years. One of it's founding members was Erica Madison." Melanie held out a vintage photo showing several women holding a Tau Beta Gamma banner. And you recognized one of them. "But you probably know her better as Erica Hadley."
"Mom?" you asked, looking at the photo. "I never knew."
"Why would you? It's not like sororities matter to the next heir of Kappa Alpha Delta, right?" Melanie asked. "They made a mistake. Misguided attempt at fixing problems that are beyond their control. I disagree."
"What do you want from me?" you asked.
"I want you, Sidney." Melanie said. "I want you to rush Tau Beta Gamma."
"What?" you asked. You were shocked to hear that. "I'm not a girl! And I don't want to be!"
"That doesn't matter. Gender roles are looser now, and having a legacy would be good for us, and you'd get to keep your title." Melanie said.
"Even if I agreed... no one else would." you said.
"I'll handle that. Now, there is the one small issue that because we've already started pledge season, you'll have to undergo the exact same circumstances as the other girls, for fairness sake, but once you're in, you can dress however you like and we'll figure out how to fit you in for participation in events." Melanie said.
You thought of how much torment it might cause when others got wind. The guy rushing a sorority? You'd be ridiculed...
"I know it's a risk, but this is a moment that can cause change. You can open it up for sororities and frats to be gender neutral, and of course, carry on family tradition." Melanie said.
"I... I'm not sure." you said.
"Think about it. I'll reach out to you tomorrow." Melanie said, handing you a sheet to write down your phone number onto. Which you did.
You went back to your dorm room and explained the problem to Evan.
"This is a tough one." Evan said. "On the one hand, it shouldn't matter, but on the other hand... yeesh."
"Yeah..." you sighed.
That night, you came to your decision.   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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